Net present value (NPV)

IN GENERAL

The discounted value of a stream of either future costs or benefits. The term Net Present Value (NPV) is used to describe the difference between the present value of a stream of costs and a stream of benefits.

Net social return ratio

See Social Return on Investment.

Related:
Cost-Benefit Analysis,
Social Return on Investment (SROI)

Nongovernmental organization (NGO)

IN PHILANTHROPY

A non-profit, citizen-based group that functions independently of government. NGOs, sometimes called civil societies, are organized on community, national and international levels to serve specific social or political purposes, and are cooperative, rather than commercial, in nature. As non-profits, NGOs rely on a variety of sources for funding, including membership dues, private donations, the sale of goods and services, and grants. Despite their independence from government, some NGOs rely significantly on government funding.

NGO, NPO, nonprofit organization, not-for-profit organization, and charity are mostly synonyms, but usage varies. Non-profit and not-for-profit are almost exclusively used in the US. Charity is used in the UK. NGO is used commonly in other countries and to denote international development organizations. Non-profit entities with significant government ties, such as public universities, are not usually considered NGOs, so the terms are not entirely synonymous.

Nonprofit organization

IN PHILANTHROPY

See “Nongovernmental organization”

Related:
Charity,
Not for profit organization

Commentary

NGO, NPO, nonprofit organization, not-for-profit organization, and charity are mostly synonyms, but usage varies. Non-profit and not-for-profit are almost exclusively used in the US. Charity is used in the UK. NGO is used commonly in other countries and to denote international development organizations. Non-profit entities with significant government ties, such as public universities, are not usually considered NGOs, so the terms are not entirely synonymous.

Norm(s)

Not for profit organization

IN PHILANTHROPY

See “Nongovernmental organization”

Related:
Charity,
Nonprofit organization

Commentary

NGO, NPO, nonprofit organization, not-for-profit organization, and charity are mostly synonyms, but usage varies. Non-profit and not-for-profit are almost exclusively used in the US. Charity is used in the UK. NGO is used commonly in other countries and to denote international development organizations. Non-profit entities with significant government ties, such as public universities, are not usually considered NGOs, so the terms are not entirely synonymous.

Note (investment note)

IN FINANCE

A financial security that generally has a longer term than a bill but a shorter term than a bond. U.S. Treasury notes, for example, are sold in $100 increments, pay interest in six-month intervals and pay investors face value upon maturity. There are numerous types of notes, including mortgage-backed notes, unsecured notes, municipal notes, bank notes, euro notes, promissory notes, demand notes and structured notes.

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